The first military company raised in Giles County was known as the
Martin Guards, in honor of Thomas Martin, who was too old to go to
war. Thomas Martin had been outspokenly opposed to secession, but
with Lincoln's announced invasion of the South, had made the choice
to support the Confederacy. It is believed that he furnished the
funds to outfit and equip The Martin Guards.

Twenty-seven year old Hume R. Feild was appointed Captain of the
military company. Captain Feild was educated at Kentucky Military
Institute, graduating in 1856. His mother, Julia Feild, took charge
of making the uniforms for the soldiers. The ladies of the town
gathered at the courthouse, some bringing their sewing machines, and
soon had the company dressed in gray suits.

On the 2nd day of May, 1861, ten companies were mustered into
service at Nashville and known as theFirst
Regiment Tennessee Volunteers:

Co. A - Rock City Guards, of Nashville

Co. B - Rock City Guards, of Nashville

Co. C - Rock City Guards, of Nashville

Co. D - Williamson Grays, of Williamson County

Co. E - Tennessee Riflemen, of Nashville

Co. F - Railroad Boys, of Nashville

Co. G - Brown Guards, of Maury County

Co. H - Maury Grays, of Maury County

Co. I - Rutherford Rifles, of Rutherford County

Co. K - Martin Guards, of Giles County

Captain George Maney was elected Colonel of the Regiment. Being
fully orgainzed, armed and equipped, the regiment went into camp at
Alisonia, in Franklin County. This camp was named Camp Harris in
honor of the Governor of Tennessee. It was at Camp Harris where they
were officially mustered into the service of the Confederate Army.
After a short while they moved to Camp Cheatham, in Robertson County,
six miles from Springfield. Here they received their military
training and instruction. On the 10th of July, 1861, they received
orders to go to Virginia. After a railroad journey of several weeks,
they reached their destination and joined the Army of the North-west
under General Robert E. Lee.

The 1st Tennessee Infantry fought in the Battle of Cheat Mountain
in Virginia. After the fall of Fort Donelson, the 1st Tennessee
Infantry was ordered to report to General Albert Sidney Johnston,
commander of the Army of Tennessee. Leaving Winchester, Virginia, on
the 17th of February, they headed for Corinth, Mississippi. The
regiment was divided into two wings, with Co. K in the left wing. The
left wing reached Corinth in time to engage at the Battle of Shiloh.

In April, 1862, regimental commander George Maney was promoted to
Brigadier General and Captain Hume R. Feild replaced him as Colonel
of the 1st Tennessee Infantry. Lieutenant William C. Flournoy
replaced Colonel Feild as Captain of Co. K.

The 1st Tennessee Infantry under the leadership of Colonel Feild
remained in the Confederate Army of Tennessee until the final
surrender. They fought at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chicamauga, and
Missionary Ridge. They were with General Joseph E. Johnston during
the retreat which led to the fall of Atlanta.

They came home to Tennessee with General John Bell Hood and fought
at Franklin and Nashville. They were among the defeated Confederate
soldiers who retreated from Nashville to the Tennessee River, passing
through Pulaski in December, 1864. They marched to North Carolina and
fought in the Battle of Bentonville, then fell back to Greensboro,
where General Johnston surrendered The Army of Tennessee on April 26,
1865.